Write a Powerful Essay: Persuade with Words

As a common saying goes, a pen will always be mightier than a sword. The big problem lies in the correct usage of the pen. How can we be sure that we are transmitting our ideas to the target audience in the way we want them to be understood? How can we be absolutely positive that we are persuading our readers to take action, think we are right, or change their mind concerning some controversial issue? There are a few tricks that we can resort to in order to compose a powerful essay, which will surely influence everyone who reads it.

Use Understandable Language

Some people are sure that the more sophisticated and incomprehensible words you add, the better. Indeed, your target audience will think you are amazingly smart, talented, courageous, intelligent and whatnot if you use such words as “ambivalent” or “obfuscate”. That is entirely not true.

Have you ever tried reading some overly intelligent scientific essay? When you do not understand half of the terms, you are bound to lose interest in the whole topic. Be accessible to your reader. Use words they are sure to understand. Explain new terms.

One Thought per Sentence

Even if your thoughts are rushing with the speed of a mighty train, make sure to keep them on the rails. Some things may be perfectly understandable to you, but your reader may have a hard time following you. If you are adding new terms to the general picture, make sure to explain them separately. It may be appropriate to squeeze them all into one sentence if you are delivering a speech orally, but it is harder to concentrate and absorb the meaning on paper.

Select Your Theme

To write powerfully, you must choose your topic wisely. Even though it may seem sad, it is hard to interest people with advances in microbiology or gardening. Your gist should coincide with the inner turmoil in the mind of the readers and match their interests and worldview, bringing something new to the table at the same time.

Get Your Motive Right

Why are you composing this piece of writing? Wouldn’t you rather go for a stroll in the park or watch a movie? If yes, then you are not interested enough in the essay and do not have a clear motive. This motive should inspire you and give you power. Maybe you are outraged by the disgusting cafeteria food or you want to receive an equal salary regardless of gender – anything that fuels you is good enough to write about.

Be Cohesive

This does not only mean that you should pay extra attention to the carcass of the essay and make sure that all the limbs are in the right places. Use cohesive linking words and the like. It also concerns being logical when presenting the information, starting from the most striking facts to the very end. What impression would you receive if you were an unaffected reader? Here are some further tips on how to be cohesive.

Be Grammatically Correct

Grammar and spelling mistakes can make even the most involved reader sigh and lose interest. There are perfectly good spellcheckers online and in your software, so use them to avoid embarrassing situations and lower grades. If you are unsure about your grammar, you should give your work for proofreading. Our experts can do it for you!

Use Strong Examples

Theory is grade, but it is hard to make an impression using only theory. You should be able to paint a picture in the mind of your reader. Analyze these sentences. Which is more effective?

– The Black Friday sales are a search for goods while competing with others.

The second sentence paints a vivid picture and makes you imagine people fighting over clothes. The first one is vague because it uses unspecific words like “goods” and “competing” that do not show what exactly is going on.

Avoid Vague Adjectives

Some adjectives bring nothing to the table. Your professor may have warned you about the frequent usage of “interesting” or “good”. The truth is, most adjectives are unspecific and subjective. If you say that “it rains frequently” in your hometown, a person from the desert may think that it rains one time a week, as “frequent” is not a specific adjective. The more specific you are, the better the picture in your reader’s mind will become.

Readers First

The audience is your main priority, as your motive is to inspire and incite them, or make them change their minds about something. It helps to know the audience and what impresses them most. For example, if they are students, you can use simpler language and add more jokes.